FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. – It’s as joyous to give as it is to receive during the holidays.
Bringing the spirit of giving to families across Flagler County, Flagler Volunteer Services hosted their annual Giving Store at Cattleman’s Hall for 400 registered youngsters across the community.
A signature program for the organization, The Giving Store has been in operation for more than 25 years according to executive director Suzy Gamblain.
“We’re so excited to have so many people going through our Giving Store program teaching children the joy of giving,” she said.
Gamblain has been part of the organization for as many years and has seen multiple generations of family take part in the Giving Store’s efforts to ensure every child has a gift for members of their household.
“I was really happy to meet a mother who had been here when she was a child and said she thinks the reason that she is so giving during the holiday season is from when she was a child and they came to the store. It makes her feel so good to give to people now. She feels is a byproduct of being here,” shared Gamblain.
That mom is Delia Donoso.
“It’s so special,” said Donoso, who reminisced about the days of coming since she was five years old, while looking at photos with Santa at the event.
“I realized that participating in this is the reason why I’m so giving,” she said. “We all have our silent battles we don’t talk about. A little gift is that reminder that we still matter and that we’re here with people that love us. Even though they don’t tell us all the time, they show us they love us through the spirit of giving.”
Bringing her own daughter to The Giving Store, it’s now a cherished tradition for the mother and daughter, sharing her photos of her daughter with Santa.
“She got to shop today. It was amazing, the excitement she came out with, reminded of when I was that age,” said Donoso. “That feeling, knowing she’s going to have that heartfelt love of giving, it’s thanks to the store. So, I would like to volunteer next year. This is such a beautiful experience as a little girl, so now, being an adult and participating, it’s 10 times better.”
Donoso isn’t the only one to now bring her daughter to the Giving Store. Talking with Gamblain about volunteering next year, she sees it as a way to bring the spirit of Christmas full circle.
“I started when I was 8 and came here with my brothers,” said mom Berlinda Velazquez. “It was amazing to shop for my family. I’m here with my child now. She was super excited.”
This year marks her 5-year-old daughter’s first year shopping. A few years from now, her 2-year-old will be eligible to shop as well.
“It was really fun,” said 10-year-old Aliana Luperon, Velazquez’s niece. “And I loved wrapping presents to give to my family. It makes me happy to see all of the people having fun too.”
Relying solely on volunteers, the offer to volunteer next year is music to Gamblain’s ears. The Giving Store takes preparation throughout the year, led by volunteer Jan Sutton. On the day of the event, dozens of volunteers are needed, in two shifts, to help pull it all off seamlessly for the families.
“It makes me feel so good. It’s funny because somebody asked me a week ago if there was that connection and I’ve had parents who’ve donated items because they know how much this store has meant to their children, but this is the first time that I’ve had somebody who came up to me and said that, so it’s really wonderful.”
To learn more about The Giving Store program, visit www.FlaglerVolunteer.org.
